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Long Grove, Illinois
Robin Aren is 16 years old and is currently a sophomore at Stevenson High school. She began dancing when she was 11 years old and absolutely loves it! She started at Denise Sabala Dance Studio and then studied at Trilogy School of Performing Arts, Faubourg School of Ballet, and has taken numerous workshops and master classes throughout Chicago. She recently traveled to California to take classes at iHollywood and the Edge in Los Angeles. Robin currently attends Visceral Dance Studio in Chicago and the Academy of the Dance Arts in Downers Grove. She feels so fortunate and deeply appreciative to be dancing under the direction of Lizzie MacKenzie and dancing with Extensions Dance Company. Robin loves the teamwork, commitment, and endless support from Lizzie and the other company members. This will mark Robin's second year with Extensions Dance Company.
Skokie, Illinois
 Jaime Borkan is a sophomore at Chicagoland Jewish High School this year. She has been dancing for twelve years and it is her passion. This will mark her fourth official year as a member of Extensions Dance Company. Jaime feels Extensions is an incredible dance company which helps her to find herself and the artist within her. One of her favorite things about Extensions is the teamwork and effort that go into the product of the company. Her summers have been spent attending the Joffrey Ballet Summer program in New York, Interlochen Arts Academy, The Faubourg Ballet Summer program and Visceral Dance Studio in Chicago. Jaime hopes to become a professional dancer in the future and continue with her love of dance. She would like to thank her family for their incredible love and support.
Skokie, Illinois
Miranda Borkan is 17 years old and a junior at Chicagoland Jewish High School. She is proud to be a founding member of Extensions Dance Company. Miranda began her dance training at North Shore School of Dance when she was three years old and cannot remember a time in her life without dance. She has been studying dance with Lizzie for the last six years and has spent summers training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, Interlochen Arts Camp, Visceral Dance Studio and Faubourg School of Ballet. Miranda feels privileged to dance alongside her sister, Jaime, and all the members of Extensions. With the continued love and support of her family and her mentor, Lizzie Mackenzie, Miranda hopes to some day express her love for dance by
joining a professional company.
Munster, Indiana
Amy began dancing when she was six years old, dancing under Vicki MacCartney at Dance Explosion. Amy continued her dance training at The Dance Gallery in Munster, Indiana where she studied under the direction of Amy White Hanas, Laura Gallardo Brand and Nick Pupillo. She now trains mainly at Visceral Dance Studio and The Faubourg School of Ballet. She has received many scholarships from various competitions and conventions including the inaugural scholarship from Rivernorth Dance Company. Amy is now in her third season with Extensions Dance Company under the direction of Lizzie Mackenzie. Special thanks goes out to Amy White Hanas for teaching her proper ballet technique and Lizzie Mackenzie for giving her the opportunity to excel at dance under her amazing choreography and instruction.
Naperville, IL
Brittany Harrington is in her first year with Extensions Dance Company. Prior to Extensions, Brittany has danced the past seven years at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville and had been a member of their dance ensemble for the last five years. She has been fortunate to take classes with many talented choreographers in the Chicagoland area, but would especially like to recognize Lizzie Mackenzie, Robin Kersey Dickerson, Jessica Young, Katie Lunn, Becky Cooper-Rezek, Stacey Rogers, and of course her two sisters, Kim and Shanna, for inspiring her to believe in herself and helping her to work towards her dream. She is very excited for the opportunity to be a part of Extensions Dance Company and to grow even more as a dancer and performer in the coming years!
 Carol Stream, IL
Natalie Pearson is a junior at Community High School in West Chicago, IL where she is part of the school Dance Production Team. Natalie has been dancing since she was two years old and for the past twelve years has danced at Dance Motions Dance Studio where she was a member of Motions Dance Company. While a member of Motions, she performed the lead role of Lock in a dance production of the Nightmare Before Christmas. During this time she was involved with competition and worked with various Chicago area choreographers. She currently studies at Visceral Dance Studio and Faubourg School of Ballet. She would like to thank her family and everyone who has helped her pursue her love of dance. After an amazing first year with her new Extensions family, Natalie is ready for an exciting second season with Extensions Dance Company.
Wilmette, Illinois
Max is passionate about all the arts, but especially about dance. This is his first year with Extensions Dance Company. He spent four years at The Giordano Dance School in Evanston studying with with Elijah Gibson, Kim Cunningham, Eugene Peabody and many of the Giordano Dance Company members. While spending his summer at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Max developed his serious love for dance and decided to work towards becoming a professional dancer. He has enjoyed summer scholarships at Milwaukee Ballet in Milwaukee, Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, and River North Dance Company in Chicago. Max actively takes classes at the Joffrey Ballet Academy and Visceral Dance Studio, both located in Chicago. He is a sophomore at New Trier High School in Winnetka; and is happy to be a part of such a dedicated group of dancers and studying with Lizzie MacKenzie at Extensions.
 Chicago, Ilinois
Lorena Sanchez is 15 years old and is a freshman at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. She hopes to one day attend Northwestern University to major in medicine or Oklahoma University to major in dance. She has been dancing since the age of two. She started her passion for dance at Lorraine Gray Dance Studio in Chicago and competed in regional and national competitions with them. She also studied at the Homer Bryant School of Ballet for a summer and Joel Hall Dance Center on and off for 4 years. After 13 years, she decided to move forward and start anew at The Dance Workshop in Orland Park where she received training from Jay and Connie Fagan. In 2006, she was awarded the Jr. Miss Starpower award, in the Starpower dance competition. She has also been awarded numerous scholarships at Tremaine, Chicago Dance Connection, Hall of Fame Dance Challenge and Starpower. She first met Lizzie while attending CDC summer workshop and loved her classes and this will mark Lorena’s first year in the company! She says that being in extensions has helped her become a better person and a better dancer by helping her gain more self-confidence and reaching her fullest potential. She fully believes representing Extensions is such an honor.
Naperville, IL
 Ashley began dancing at the age of 2 in West Palm Beach, FL. She later continued her dance training at some of the best area schools including Dance West Ballet, Steps Dance Center, and most recently Inspire School of Dance in Naperville where she is fortunate enough to study with such teachers as Lizzie Mackenzie, Anne Forrest, Kelly Hill, Nicki Del Re Masino, Julie Dziedzec and Alvin Ramirez. Ashley has also worked with such choreographers as Eddy Ocampo, Nick Pupillo, Tina Sidoni, Steve Ewing, Missy Ridgway and Terry Fox. She has been awarded numerous scholarships and awards from various competitions and conventions. Ashley notes her highlights as River North Chicago Dance spring and summer workshops, master classes with Debbie Allen, Travis Wall and Ivan Koumaev from “So You Think You Can Dance”, and performing in Chicago’s Festival of Lights and Dance For Dreams. In addition to dancing Ashley loves babysitting, playing with her baby cousins and watching her younger brother, Tyler, Dance. Ashley is thankful for Lizzie and the company’s support in promoting her personal growth as a member of Extensions Dance Company for a third year.
Naperville, IL
Tyler Smith was destined to dance after attending his sister Ashley’s dance recital at just two weeks old. After stomping around in Ashley’s tap shoes, Tyler enrolled in dance lessons at 5 years old for a year at Steps Dance Center and then to Inspire School of Dance. This is where he met Miss Lizzie and also trains with Anne Forrest, Kelly Hill, Sara Bibik, Nicki Del Re Masino, Alvin Ramirez, Karlo Familara and Julie Dziedzic. Tyler has attended the Faubourg School of Ballet, Underground Arts Connection, and Inspire’s Intensive summer dance camps. His highlights include master classes with Travis Wall and Ivan Koumaev from “So You Think You Can Dance” and classes at LA Dance Magic’s 2005 Nationals. In addition to dancing, Tyler enjoys swimming, baseball, and playing with his baby cousins. He is overjoyed to have become a member of Extensions and appreciates the love and role modeling of his fellow company members. Tyler dreams of one day being an author and a professional dancer.
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Robin Aren, 15 years old
Amy Chihara, 14 years old 
